06/07/2001

NI CANCER DIAGNOSIS RECEIVES BOOST

NORTHERN IRELAND is to receive a much-needed boost in cancer diagnosis and treatment in the form of a new electronic link between the National Cancer Institute in Washington, USA and Belfast City Hospital.

Health Minister Bairbre de Brún announced the link during a visit to the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Explaining the importance of the partnership, she said: “I want to ensure that cancer teams here can participate fully in clinical trials; to do so they need to be able to exchange information with colleagues in the USA and throughout Ireland. The electronic system will enable them to do that and will help to improve diagnosis and assess appropriate treatments for patients with cancer.”

The link, which will cost £150,000, aims to bring cancer services throughout Ireland closer together and help facilitate both research and the exchange of specialists between facilities. The Minister went on to praise Dr Richard Klausner, the Director of the NCI, for his “vision and commitment” to improving cancer services in Ireland.

Ms de Brún continued: “Much work has already been done. Both Cancer Registries have produced the first All Ireland Cancer Incidence and Mortality Report. Two epidemiology training fellowships have been created, one in the North and one in the South. Breast cancer is being investigated to compare incidence and mortality throughout Ireland. These are practical examples of the sort of work that is taking place as a result of this agreement.”

Northern Ireland currently has some of the worst cancer survival rates in Western Europe.

(CL)

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